The PinkNews guide to what happens next for the equal marriage bill

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill has several stages before equal marriage becomes law

The equal marriage bill for England and Wales is set to return to Parliament next week, here’s a simple guide to what happens next in the process.

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will go to the House of Lords for Report stage on Monday 8 and Wednesday 10 July, when further amendments will be introduced, some of which will aim to derail or wreck the bill’s progress.

James-J Walsh of Out4Marriage, said: “It is now more important than ever to make our voices heard, and push the equal marriage bill through the final stages of Parliament.

“Users have already sent thousands of lobbies though LobbyALord, but there is still more to be done. LobbyALord is gimmick free, and does not ask for donations. It is simple to use, and includes resources to show which peers are for and against equal marriage.

“We are calling for all equal marriage supporters, whether LGBT or straight/heterosexual to contact a peer using our new simpleLobbyALord.org website, as well as talk about the debate on social media and other websites too using #LobbyALord”.

After it completes the Report stage, the bill will go through its Third Reading on 15 July. If passed in its Third Reading, the bill will be different to that which passed in the House of Commons, so will return there to for approval.

If the House of Commons makes changes, the bill returns to the House of Lords, and can go back and forth until both are agreed. This process is known as parliamentary ping pong, and is scheduled for 16 and 17 July, when Parliament goes into recess. If the process is not agreed by then, the bill cannot be debated again until late into 2013.

Once eventually passed in both Houses, the bill will be given Royal Assent, before coming law, however it is unlikely that Royal Assent will be given until after summer recess.